echimes: April 2017

FPC connects

The Chimes nline

Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

SUNDAY SCHEDULE • Prayer breakfast - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall • Communion Worship Service 8:00 am, Winship Chapel • Worship Service 9:00 am, Fifield Hall • The Mustard Seed Bookstore Open 9:00 am - 12:15 pm

PALM SUNDAY, HOLY WEEK, & EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE

• Sunday School for All Ages 9:45 am • Worship Service 11:00 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour 12:00 pm

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 9 8:00 a.m. Chapel, 9:00 a.m. Fifield Hall and 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary “From The Red Sea to the Wilderness” Exodus 15:1-18; Matthew 21:1-11 Tony Sundermeier, Preaching

EVENTS April 2 On Ramp Express 12-3pm Room 156 slane@firstpresatl.org April 5 Wednesday Noontime Services 12pm Chapel Ryan Bonfiglio, Preaching April 5 Orchestra Rehearsals 6:30pm every Wednesday www.firstpresatl.org/arts/ April 5 Wednesday Bible Study 10am Room B111 12:30pm Room 156 acochran@firstpresatl.org April 6 20s/30s Couples’ Group 7pm Erin & John’s Home johnmerlie@gmail.com April 7 Moms Seeking More 10:30am Bride’s Room acochran@firstpresatl.org April 20 20s/30s Theology on Tap 7pm Front Page News Midtown ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org

HOLY WEEK NOONTIME SERVICES 12:00-12:30 p.m. Chapel

Date

Preaching

Monday, April 10 Tuesday, April 11 Wednesday, April 12 Thursday, April 13

Ann-Henley Saunders preaching Kevin Knab preaching Katie Sundermeier preaching Rebekah LeMon preaching

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 13 In-Home Worship Gatherings Throughout the City

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14 12:00 p.m. Chapel

7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Connie Lee preaching

Connie Lee, Baron Mullis and Molly McGinnis preaching

Featuring the Choirs of FPC Atlanta, Morningside Presbyterian Church, and Central Presbyterian Church

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 16 8:00 a.m. Chapel Communion, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary “The Long Journey Home: From the Wilderness to Home” Joshua 3:15-17; Mark 16:1-8 Tony Sundermeier, Preaching

The Chimes

PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE Lt. Karim Abu-Akel Captain Alexandria Miller-Anderson Lt. Col. Charles Ayers PVT Forrest “Woody” Bass Lt. JG Benjamin S. Bondurant Maj. Jamison Bowman, Chaplain ABE3 Gregory Bridges AM3 Glenn Thomas Johnson HA Robert Louis Johnson Staff Sgt. Kevin Lee Lt. Wilson Mansfield McManus Captain John Warren Robey Captain Gabriel Rulewicz Maj. General Russell Sanborn Captain Ryan Tewell Col. Roderick G. Turner III Specialist Branton Wandera Specialist Kevin Wandera

MAUNDY THURSDAY DINNER & WORSHIP

Pastoral Care Report (As of March 23, 2017)

DEATHS: Longtime member Peyton Robinson, Sr., died on Saturday, March 4th with his family by his side. As we remember Peyton in the fullness of his life, we pray for his wife Mary, their children Peyton, Jr. and Alex, and their families. May there be peace in every part of their lives during this time of loss.

Our prayers are with Stuart and Lisa Bondurant and family on the death of Stuart’s mother, Margaret F. Bondurant, who died on March 3rd in Davidson, NC. Our prayers are also with Eddie and Melanie Birchfield and family on the death of Eddie’s mother on March 9th.

RECUPERATING: Barbara Cox, Bill Barber, Dale Dewberry, Deborah Ann McCoy, Iris Eskew, Jim Bynum, Jack Monday, Lillian Law, Lyn Farrar, Mary Lou Oppenheimer, NeeNee Fortson, Randy Jones, Rosemary Smith, Ruth Ann Little, Steve Fifield If you have any pastoral concerns, please contact Rev. Kevin Knab at 404-228-7763 or kknab@firstpresatl.org., or Pam Parrish at 404-228-7737 or pparrish@firstpresatl.org.

COME-ON-ALONG APRIL 20!

April 13 7:00 – 9:00 PM (Times may vary in some locations.)

Potluck Dinner & Communion Service in FPC Members’ Homes around Atlanta.

Children & Youth welcome.

Sign-up: Sundays, March 19th thru April 9th outside Fifield Hall or online through the First Pres website.

For more information contact Jennifer Pendergast at pendergast@thefbcg.com.

2

April

H OW ’ S A R D F I N S T E R N PA R E D A D I S E G A R

COME-ON-ALONG TO HOWARD FINSTER’S PARADISE GARDEN Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017, 9:30 AM Place: Meet at 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church Parking Lot. Cost: $10 Senior Ticket plus self-pay lunch at Los Maguey Restaurant. Rev. Finster, a humble, God-fearing man, had a vision from God at age 59 to paint sacred art, and he worked tirelessly until age 84, producing over 46,000 works of art, as well as his Paradise Garden, a place of inspiration. Join us!

Call Bruce Gregory for more info or reservations at 404-228-2263 or e-mail him at bruce.m.gregory@gmail.com.

The Chimes

COMMUNITY MINISTRIES

T

The partnership between FPC and HPC will be hosting our annual Birthday Party for the children at Hagar’s House on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at 6:30 for dinner and party at 7:00.

The Women’s Transition Center provides transitional housing for twelve women experiencing homelessness. We are currently recruiting volunteers to assist as overnight volunteers, providing dinner and assisting with coordinating the volunteer scheduling. To learn more about these opportunities, please contact Tricia Passuth @ 404-228-7766 or tpassuth@firstpresatl.org.

Please join us have birthday fun with the kids. Helping hands (volunteers) and birthday gifts for the kids are welcome.

Please contact mwandera@firtspresatl.org

S’ ENRICHMEN E L P U CO W E E K E N D T

Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta is offering a 6 week opportunity

AN INVESTMENT WORTH MAKING

April 28-29, 2017 at FPC Any and all couples are welcome to participate in our

Couples’ Enrichment Weekend 2017: An Investment Worth Making April 28, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

April 29, 8:30-12:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta Facilitators: Katie and Tony Sundermeier and Joanna and Al Adams Childcare available upon request

www.firstpresatl.org/couplesenrichment

MEETS WED NIGHTS

Group Therapy: Parents of Children Navigating Anxiety The group sessions will be discussion focused, led by Leslie Hall. Each week will include a topic related to families, anxiety, and parenting and include pscyhoeducation and also a chance for individuals and/or the group to process how the subject or concern relates personally.

Therapist Leslie Hall and Rev. Katie Sundermeier will lead this group on Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm, beginning April 19th.

The cost is $125 per person.

Financial Aid is available.

Contact Katie or Leslie with any questions or to sign up. The group is limited to 12. ksundermeier@samaritanatlanta. org and lhall@samaritanatlanta.org

April

3

The Chimes

M

ISSION TRIP

Live and share your faith

S

S U N D AY, A P R I L 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 , 1 2 : 1 5 P. M .

July 13-18, 2017 Family Mission Trip to

Our Urban Setting: Evolution from Planned Residential Community To Vibrant Midtown

Jamaica

(ages 6 and up)

2

For more information Contact: Paul Dimmick 404-228-7723 pdimmick@firstpresatl.org

1 REPEAT REPEAT

An architectural walking tour with Ward Seymour, AIA, and Helen Hatch, FAIA Join us in front of the church at 1:00 p.m. on April 23rd.

The tour will proceed along Peachtree Street to 15th St. and we will return to the church by 3:00. A light $10 lunch will be provided following the 11:00 a.m. church service.

For more information and lunch reservations: 404-228-7732 • music@firstpresatl.org

JOIN US THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017 • 12:00 P.M. FOR YOUR

GREAT NAME’S SAKE!

HEAR US... FORGIVE US... HEAL US!

Daniel 9:19

DR. TONY SUNDERMEIER AND DR. JOANNA ADAMS PREACHING IN THE CHAPEL 4

April

The Chimes

Douglas Hobbs

Welcome new members Our church family continues to grow!

CONNECTIONS

Jane and Jason Armes

have been visiting FPC since last year. They are excited about becoming part of this church family, especially with the baptism of their son, Boone.

Jane is an Account Manager with Ernst & Young, and Jason is a Senior Consultant with ECG Management Consultants. We look forward to them connecting with the 20’s/30’s Couples Group.

Susan and Doug Brown

have been visiting since the fall and are looking forward to finding a Sunday school class and some volunteer opportunities. Susan works as a Tax Consultant with Steele Consulting and Doug is an attorney with Swift Currie. They have a daughter Caroline. Doug and Susan join by letter of transfer from Trinity.

Ashley Gaines and Sam Potts

found out about FPC through Nick and Lisa Hoffman. They are engaged to be married here in August of this year. Ashley works in Interior Design at James Michael Howard, Inc. and Sam is an Account Manager with athenahealth. Sam grew up at First Pres Charlotte.

They are both looking forward to getting involved here at FPC.

Kristen Gee

is transferring from First P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r ch i n Thomasville, GA. She has been visiting for a few years and completed On Ramp in 2014. Kristen is a graduate of the University of Georgia and received her MBA from Georgia State University; she works as a consultant. Kristen is getting involved with our 20’s/30’s Group and volunteering in activities such as dinners with RAP.

Christian Given

has been attending FPC with his wife, member Cason Given.

Their daughter Berkeley was baptized in the Sanctuary in November. Christian is an Investment Banker with Childs Advisory Partners. He and Cason are looking forward to getting involved in service opportunities.

has been visiting for the last few months and is looking forward to becoming a member.

Douglas works for Amerigas as a Machine Operator. He is looking forward to finding a Bible study and a regular Sunday school class. He enjoys reading and is also hoping to help others needing assistance. Douglas joins by re-affirmation of faith.

Russ and Connie Jobson

have been visiting FPC for a year. Russ is a Broker with Colliers Atlanta and Connie is a retired teacher with Cobb County Schools. Connie is active with the Ansley Garden Club and Russ volunteers in corporate fundraising with the Woodruff Arts Center and is looking forward to getting involved in Hospitality here at FPC. Russ and Connie join by letter of transfer from Peachtree Christian Church.

Claire and Luther Griffith

Diana Rosa Ramos Garcia

Aaron Groover

Linda Whitehurst

have been visiting FPC for two years. Claire is the Director of Major & Planned Gifts at Sweet Briar College, and Luther is President of Griffith Resources, Inc. They both enjoy golf, tennis and reading. Claire and Luther are transferring from Northside United Methodist.

They have served previous churches in finance, fundraising, and teaching Sunday school.

has been attending FPC for about 2 years with his wife, Lauren Meyer Groover. They are both active members of our 20’s/30’s Group, and they plan to continue volunteering and being active in this minsitry.

Aaron is an Engineer with WEG Electric.

Christian and Kae Gruner

have been attending FPC for about a year. Just married in August 2016, they have gotten very involved with our 20’s/30’s Ministry. Christian and Kae both have law degrees; Kae is working as a Contract Specialist at Emory University and Christian is self-employed as a Truck Dealer. They are both interested in compassionate care and social entrepreneurship.

found FPC through our partner church in Perico, Cuba where she served as a Lay Pastor and an Elder. Diana Rosa is interested in the Internationals Class. She enjoys singing and playing the guitar.

has been visiting since October.

She is looking fo a new church home for her family. She works as a Marketing Director at First Data. Linda is interested in getting involved with the Preschool and with our Women’s Ministry. Linda joins by transfer from Peachtree Presbyterian.

Kerry Green

has been visiting FPC for two years and has been helping with the 1st grade Sunday school class. She and her husband, Chad, moved here from New York where they attended Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, and they have a son, Elliott. Kerry works in Interior Design with Suzanne Kasler Interiors. She also enjoys travel.

April

5

The Chimes CHILDREN & TWEENS

TWENTIES & THIRTIES

EASTER EGG HUNT Join us at Winn Park on Saturday, April 15 at 10:30AM for the big egg hunt! All hunters should bring their own basket.

EASTER SUNDAY There will be no Sunday School at 9:45AM for all ages. Elementary children will remain in worship for the entire service, and childcare will be available for children kindergarten and younger during all services.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Hero Central VBS is shaping up to be a great week! We have an exceptional leadership team formed that will create the week of faith and fun. We already have 68 children registered, and we’re still 2 months away, but we need more volunteers!!! We will need a lot of volunteers to ensure VBS is successful and impactful. Free childcare will be available for children of volunteers who are younger than 3. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sarah Kate Bumgarner, or register online, www.cokesburyvbs.com/fpcatl.

CRADLE CARE MINISTRY Pregnant or adopting? Or know someone who is? Cradle Care ministers to FPC families who are new parents, or new again.

Contact Sarah Kate to find out more about this ministry.

Not getting our Children’s Ministry email updates? Ask to be added, skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org

YOUTH SUMMER CALENDAR Have an idea for a Summer Youth Event? We’re currently working on putting together our summer events calendar, so let us know and we can try and include it.

SUMMER MISSION TRIPS – FINAL CALL Time is running out to sign up for our middle and high school mission trips to Kentucky this summer. Each group will be partnering with organizations in the Applachia region as we work to connect, show, and share our faith. Visit the church website for more info or to register.

SIGNUP FOR SOMETHING Start the New Year off by signing up to get involved in something new!

We still have lots of ways that you can give of your time and resources this year to help our youth group thrive. We hope you and your youth will find meaningful ways to give back and get involved in the coming year! Check the website for a complete list of offerings.

Our twenties and thirties’ community is fun, smart, active, and ever-growing. Whether you’re single, engaged, or married, you are welcome; we’d love to get to know you!

Together, we connect, learn, and serve, and here are some upcoming opportunities to join us: Wrestling with the Word: a discussion group and Bible study that meets every Sunday from 10-10:45 a.m. in Room 322 Couples’ Group: a group of committed/engaged/ married couples that meets every other Thursday at 7 p.m. (April 6th at Erin & John’s home and April 20th at Pijiu Belly) Theology on Tap: a group that explores a chosen topic theologically over food and beverage on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.

(April 20th at Front Page News Midtown) Spring Retreat: an opportunity to meet new people and deepen your faith May 5th-7th in Clarkesville, GA (only 1.5 hours away!)

Homeless Prayer Breakfast: an opportunity to serve breakfast to our homeless guests together on May 21st at 6:30 a.m. in Fifield End-of-Year-BBQ: an opportunity to celebrate another year of ministry together and learn about our summer plans on May 21st at 12:30 p.m. in Piedmont Park Jamaica Mission Trip: an opportunity to serve alongside members of Hillside Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Jamaica July 13th-18th (all-inclusive cost is $1300 and scholarships are available) If you’d like to learn more about any of these events or discover how you can get involved, please email Ann-Henley at ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org.

6

April

The Chimes ADULT DISCIPLESHIP

THEOLOGYMATTERS

Short Courses for the Thoughtful Christian

The Five Pillars of the Reformation Wednesdays in the Berean Room |April 19, 26; May 3| 7:00-8:20 pm Instructor: Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This bold act is widely regarded as the starting point of the Protestant Reformation and subsequently ignited a transformation of Christian theology. In honor of the 500 year anniversary of this event, Rev. Dr. Sundermeier will teach a special Theology Matters course that explores the historical and biblical background of the five theological pillars, or “solas,” of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone), Sola fide (by faith alone), Sola gratia (by grace alone), Solus Christus (by Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). This stand-alone course is open to all members of the church but it also serves as the pretrip curriculum for FPC’s 2017 Study Abroad trip to Switzerland (May 11-19). Participants in the Study Abroad trip will continue this course through in-trip sessions that focus on the on-going relevance of the “Five Solas” for the church today.

G Y

M A

T

E R S

T H E O

O

T

L

T

his year, Protestant churches around the world are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Here at First Pres, we are commemorating this pivotal moment in church history by offering a series of educational opportunities that explores the major themes of Reformation theology and their ongoing influence in Christian faith and practice.

Our Reformation 2017 series kicks off on Wednesday April 19th with a 3-week Theology Matters course called “The Five Pillars of the Reformation.” Taught by Tony Sundermeier, this course is open to the whole congregation but also serves as the pre-trip curriculum for those who are traveling on our Study Abroad trip to Switzerland, where we will be following in the footsteps of the great Reformation theologian John Calvin.

The series also includes a second Theology Matters course (Thursdays, 10/5, 12, 19, 26) co-taught by Ryan Bonfiglio and Jens Korndörfer. Titled “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” this course explores the biblical and musical background of the great hymns of the Reformation, many of which we still sing today.

In the fall, we will be offering a 4-week interfaith dialogue in partnership with the Temple. This program, which includes dinner, talks, and guided conversations, will provide an opportunity for members of both congregations to think about what it means to be “Rooted in Tradition, Reformed in Perspective” in our respective theological contexts.

Other offerings in the series include two Lunch and Learn Lectures (with Ryan Bonfiglio and Joel LeMon), the launch of our TheoEd Talks program, a 4-week sermon series, and a Musica Sacra Concert. More information can be found in printed brochures around the church or on the web at: https://firstpresatl.org/reformation2017.

Whether you are a life-long Calvinist or new to the Presbyterian church, we invite you to take part in these educational opportunities as we explore together the legacy of the Protestant Reformation.

Ryan Bonfiglio

For more information please visit https://firstpresatl.org/reformation2017

April

7

The Chimes

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit No. 1521

Bi-weekly Newsletter of

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of ATLANTA 1328 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30309-3209 HOW TO CONTACT US Phone/404-892-8461 Fax/404-228-7760 E-mail: youbelong@firstpresatl.org Web: www.firstpresatl.org WORSHIP Sunday Communion Service - 8:00 am Sunday Worship Service - 9:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Service - 11:00 am WEEKLY BROADCASTS Sundays live at 11:00 am On demand anytime www.firstpresatl.org/servicesonline AIB Cable Network (Smyrna Channel 22, Comcast 295) Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

Reflections of Holy Week Join us for an exhibit of recent photographs of Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, taken by FPC members and PC(USA) mission co-workers, offering contemporary reflections on the meaning of nine key events in the last week of the life of Christ.

In the Berean Room. Ash Wednesday (March 1) through Easter Sunday (April 16).

EL

EB R ATI

G

10 YEAR S AN

WEDNESDAYS 9-1:00, SUNDAYS 9-12:15 PM (404) 201-6442 themustardseed@firstpresatl.org

N

The Mustard Seed

C

We’ve filled The Mustard Seed with lovely gift items, cards, jewelry and a broad selection of books.

N

IVE

RSAR

Y

AIB Broadcast Our Sunday Service broadcast on AIB can be found on Comcast Cable channel 295.

Thanks for watching!